72 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



return. Instead of an answer, he silently gave me his 

 pipe, out of which I took a few whiffs, and then handed 

 it to one of the Indians standing near me. He did the 

 same, and returned it to the chief. I now sat down be- 

 side him. He asked a great many questions, amongst 

 others, how I had torn my coat so badly? Whereupon 

 I related my affair with the bear. He smiled, and 

 translated my account to the others, who also showed 

 interest in my adventure. 



The chief then told me that it was highly dangerous 

 for any one unused to these encounters, to risk such a 

 fight, and that it was necessary to spring quickly back 

 after the thrust, the dying bear having sometimes suc- 

 ceeded in killing his enemy. He took particular notice 

 of my double-barrelled gun and hunting-knife, and said 

 that he had never before seen two barrels joined toge- 

 ther. He spoke English better than I did, and, what 

 was very agreeable, he spoke slowly. 



The Indians belonged to the Choctaw tribe, and were 

 come out of Arkansas in search of game. As night 

 came on, fires were burning all around us, and the wo- 

 men, among whom were some beautiful figures, cooked 

 the suppers, while the men quietly smoked their pipes. 

 Finding the Indian fashion of staring at the fire, rather 

 tedious, I made several attempts to engage the chief in 

 conversation, but only received short answers, so that at 

 last there was nothing left for.it but to play the Indian, 

 and maintain a dignified silence. 



At length we retired to rest. I slept on a bear-skin 

 beside the fire, in front of the chief 's tent. Before sun- 

 rise, I was awakened by the noise and songs of the In- 



